While on display at last year's E3, Nintendo has been noticeably quiet about their next GameCube Zelda title since then. Releasing in Japan this week (surprise!), The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords + is a new take on the multiplayer concept that came bundled with Zelda: A Link to the Past (GBA) in late 2002.

The "plus" moniker is due to the inclusion of multiple game modes, and the fact that the game makes use of both the GameCube and Game Boy Advance to play multiplayer, as you'll see in the screens. In addition to "Hyrule Adventure", the main game, Four Swords + also includes the game known from E3 as Tetra's Trackers, and a third battle mode named Shadow Challenge.

You'll of course be hearing and seeing more of this title come May, barring any further delays. Until then, we've updated with 29 new screen shots courtesy of gaming site 1UP, which among other things shows the new triangular shape for rupees, as well as a wealth of visual upgrades that still retain a look similar to A Link to the Past.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords + is due out in North America in early May.